Seriously Injured Man Aided by "Good Samaritans"
Monday, June 27, 2011 - 6:17am
Three passers-by were in the right place for a seriously injured man at 1421 Regent St. on Saturday morning.
The three stopped to help a man who was bleeding profusely after a workplace accident. One person called 911, and the other two, Marcus Stafford and Carrie Goffinel, worked to stop the bleeding.
City of Madison firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene at 8:50 a.m. for a report of a laceration. But what crews saw when they arrived was Marcus applying direct pressure and elevating the arm of the patient.
Firefighters say the action of those who stopped to help may actually have saved the patient's life.
The City of Madison Fire Department reminds residents of these first aid tips for severe bleeding:
1. Call 911
2. Have the injured person lie down and cover the person to prevent loss of body heat. If possible, position the person's head slightly lower than the trunk or elevate the legs. This position reduces the risk of fainting by increasing blood flow to the brain. If possible, elevate the site of bleeding.
3. While wearing gloves, remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Don't remove any large or more deeply embedded objects. Don't probe the wound or attempt to clean it at this point. Your principal concern is to stop the bleeding.
4. Apply pressure directly on the wound until the bleeding stops. Use a sterile bandage or clean cloth and hold continuous pressure for at least 20 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding has stopped. Maintain pressure by binding the wound tightly with a bandage (or a piece of clean cloth) and adhesive tape. Use your hands if nothing else is available. If possible, wear rubber or latex gloves or use a clean plastic bag for protection.
5. Don't remove the gauze or bandage. If the bleeding continues and seeps through the gauze or other material you are holding on the wound, don't remove it. Instead, add more absorbent material on top of it.
6. Squeeze a main artery if necessary. If the bleeding doesn't stop with direct pressure, apply pressure to the artery delivering blood to the area of the wound. Pressure points of the arm are on the inside of the arm just above the elbow and just below the armpit. Pressure points of the leg are just behind the knee and in the groin. Squeeze the main artery in these areas against the bone. Keep your fingers flat. With your other hand, continue to exert pressure on the wound itself.
7. Immobilize the injured body part once the bleeding has stopped.
- Lori Wirth, (608) 266-5947